We posted about this in the past, but we never had an opportunity to check it out.

With friends in town this weekend, we decided to trek up to Wynn Las Vegas and earn slot points for a buffet or three.

We couldn't do it ourselves because we aren't new players. But our two friends are.

They signed up for a Red Card (it's free) and each received $10 in freeplay (1x playthrough before cashing out). After the $10 in freeplay is used, they started earning points.

Every $3 in playthrough on slots is equivalent to 1 point ($9 playthrough for video poker).

At 25 points, you get a free buffet. At 50 points, you get two free buffets. (After that, it jumps to 500 points for the next free buffet.)

That's just $75 in playthrough, and assuming 90 percent payback on slots, you're looking at an expected loss of $7.50 for the best buffet in Las Vegas.

One friend played 50 points, the other played 25 points, and in less than 5 minutes we had enough points for 3 buffets. We also came out slightly ahead, which went to the tip.

After earning points, they returned to the Red Card booth to activate the buffet, then we headed down the hall for the first 3 buffet lunches (normally $22) they've ever received. And no one in line, too.

It was so delicious, we can't wait for more houseguests so we can take advantage of their new player status.